Tuesday 3 December 2019

Polo Necks, Plants & Some Purloined Encaustic Tiles



After writing about those useful but not particularly exciting things you find in charity shops as if by magic I found this polo neck jumper for £2 the day after publishing my post and with UK temperatures plummeting to below zero it couldn't have turned up at a better time.


I love how it matches my orange fedora perfectly, I bet if I'd trawled every retail outlet in England trying to find the ideal coloured jumper I'd have come home empty-handed (and probably brain dead from being tortured by the incessant Xmas music, too).


Today I wore it underneath this vintage Salamander maxi dress lovely ex-blogger Curtise gave me the first time we met (back in 2012).


The sleeves weren't originally flared, I Vixified them using a vintage shawl in a near-identical print I'd found in a charity shop. Link HERE.


Along with a certain Orange Bloke currently in London, there's another unwelcome American import to the UK - Black Friday - an excuse for the shops to sell off their unwanted tat to people desperate for a bargain. Anyway, you know me, I've never done what I'm told and have absolutely no interest in running off to the shops for something because I've been brainwashed into needing it by a lame TV advert. Jon and I spent last Friday (and the weekend that followed) doing stuff in the house and garden and not parting with a penny of our cash.


Yesterday was Green Monday. After re-potting my plants, over-wintering the geraniums and raking up the last of the Autumn leaves I threw on my velvet maxi and went forth & treated myself to some new houseplants. I'm holding a Calathea and a Mother-in-Law's Tongue (which my dear friend Ann tells me is known as Women's Tongue in Belgium - cheeky!), I also found a Peace Lily in a ceramic pot on the clearance shelf reduced to just £4 (the pots alone retail at £8) and after a light misting and a bit of a haircut I got up this morning to discover she's flowered overnight!


Other than the odd foray to the chazzas we haven't been out much recently (although there's a special trip out planned for Friday!) as we've been working on the bathroom - fitting a new shower unit, decluttering and redecorating. 


I've been hoarding collecting Victorian encaustic tiles since I was a teenager and Jon's finally put some of my collection to good use. Looking at those Art Nouveau poison green beauties instantly transport me to my misspent youth when me and my then partner-in-crime, after necking a bottle of Thunderbird, thought it would be a good idea to liberate them from a derelict building in Walsall town centre.


Hopefully I'll be able to show you the finished room in its entirety by the end of next week but, in the words of The Smiths, These Things Take Time.


 When you're a grown-up it's quite acceptable to buy yourself birthday presents so my Happy Birthday to me gift this year is this antique Lamani neck ring, worn by my favourite Indian nomadic tribeswomen. The coins are dated 1905, back to when King Edward VII was Emperor of India. 


See you when I'm 53!


73 comments:

  1. Oh I love that polo neck....the colour is glorious. Pity I can't wear them....they make me look like my head is sitting on top of a flowerpot...lol.
    Love the tiles too.
    Hugs-x-

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Head sitting on top of a flowerpot? Ha! You are funny! x

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. I always knew they'd come in useful one day!

      Delete
  3. Black Friday sucks and so does that Orange Visitor. Wanna keep him? My BFF and I do Small Business Saturday...which for us means hitting the thrift shops. Which turns it into what we do every visit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the kind offer but we've already got Boris - arghhh!
      Liking the Small Business Saturday idea. x

      Delete
  4. Im another December baby and think its ok to buy yourself a biethsay pressie too lol. I spent black friday at work. No spending for me I really dontbelieve in it and i dont think its a bargain either. X

    ReplyDelete
  5. The redone sleeves on the dress are incredible!! Turtlenecks drive me slightly crazy, but ughhhh they are so warm--- most perfect orange!! Fuck Black Friday, too jeez Sweet plants and tiles!!!!
    Share the painting if you let the artist paint you--- super cool!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you - those sleeves were a flash of inspiration and were easy to do.
      I love polo necks, so cosy. x

      Delete
  6. Happiest of birthdays to you when it arrives. I totally agree with everything you say about Black Friday. I never partake (couldn't anyway if I'd wanted to....car trouble!).Your bathroom is divine!

    ReplyDelete
  7. That polo neck jumper is such a gorgeous colour and very versatile by the looks of it. Loving your Vixified frock, I had to look at it more than twice to see the difference in fabrics. That Lamani neck ring is stunning, and the perfect birthday present to yourself. Those Victorian encaustic tiles: be still my beating heart! Things that take time are always the best, by the way. No instant gratification. As for Black Friday, that really makes me sick. xxx P.S. Humming a certain Smiths song :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry not sorry for the Smiths earworm!!
      Wait till you see the tiles at Jackfield, you'll be rendered speechless. xxx

      Delete
  8. As one of your U.S. readers, I humbly apologize for His Imperial Orangeness and Black Friday. All I can say is that I didn't vote for the first one and didn't participate in the second. There are still a few of us here who are sane.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! I've yet to speak to an American that likes him, his supporters probably don't communicate with weird foreigners!! xxx

      Delete
  9. Happy Birthday Vix! Like you, I will happily ignore Black Friday, although I do like the idea of Green Monday.
    The shade of the polo neck looks fabulous on you. X

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your bathroom is gorgeous! I love the tiles over the sink.
    The velvet maxi looks lovely on you, and the polo neck is a glorious colour.
    Hope you have a fab birthday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! The bathroom's looking good, can't wait to finally have a shower! xxx

      Delete
  11. Happy Birthday Vix! I just welcomed my 59th birthday with a pair of locally made earrings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy belated 55th to you, Sue! Those earrings sound like a fab little treat to yourself. xxx

      Delete
  12. Not to crazy about The Orange Visitor even when he's States side! As far as Black Friday goes, I am not a fan of it either!! I'm not into spending money that I don't have much of to begin with, much less spending it on something I don't really need.
    Love your birthday necklace!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've got the Orange One and we've got Boris - the world's gone mad! Thanks for the birthday wishes. xxx

      Delete
  13. Happy birthday you wonderful woman!

    You always manage to look like you've stepped right off a fashion magazine from the 70's.

    I'm glad I'm not the only one that hates Christmas music. I can take it on Christmas Eve and Christmas day...not every day for over a month and a half leading up to it! It's all a ploy to remind us to spend money we don't have.

    Cannot wait to see the finished bathroom. It really makes me laugh that you were out grabbing tiles from old buildings as such a young age!

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Suzanne - you are kind!
      That music drives me to distraction. I'd hate to work in retail and have to endure it for two months. You have to pity the poor shop staff! xxx

      Delete
  14. Happy Birthday my dear! You make 53 look like 18 :) I love love love those tiles, so nice you can actually use them now!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Happy Birthday to the most vivacious Vixen I know!

    I also like to find "un-sexy" items on my thrifting forays. I have a few great basic tops that I paid very little for, that will get worn to death. I would love to find an orange turtleneck, what a gorgeous colour, and so fabulous with both outfits. Your green velvet maxi is amazing - wow!

    I'm so impressed that you pinched those tiles from an abandoned building way back when! You know that nothing else was probably saved from it. I love that they are getting used.

    I loathe Black Friday (it's caught on in Canada due to the US influence), and spent my day giving money back to the local consignment shops.

    Again, a very happy birthday to you, Vix! Rock on with your bad self, girlfriend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sheila! I woke up fuzzy headed and with good memories of the previous night, just like every birthday morning I've enjoyed since I was a teenager!
      Black Friday is rubbish, in the past there's been fights in shops when someone's grabbed the last massive TV off the shelf. Idiots! xxx

      Delete
  16. Felicitations on the celebration of your natal day, dear Vix. May I say I'm surprised you made it this far in such good shape, having lived so dangerously in your youth. (I refer to drinking Thunderbird, not salvaging.)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Happy birthday for your 53rd, you look much younger (and have very good skin too by the way). Love the dresses this week, especially as am keen on orange. I did some shopping at Anokhi in Jaipur and then Delhi which was much more fun than chasing after Black Friday tat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Betty you are kind! I'm looking forward to seeing all your India buys. Shopping at Anokhi is such a brilliant experience - I don't think I've ever been in a proper shop and liked everything! x

      Delete
  18. Hope you have a fantastic b'day. The neck ring is a perfect gift to yourself. Again this week you have wowed us with more stunning outfits - love the colour of the turtleneck and of course the velvet maxi.

    Have NO INTEREST in Black Friday or the Orange Fella.

    My favourite this week has to be those Victorian encasutic tiles. My gosh, they are beautiful! Made me laugh that you at such a young age had the wisdom to know that one day you would use them. Can't wait to see the final layout.

    Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Suzy. You are so generous with your comments!
      Black Friday and the Orange Fella are definitely two American imports that aren't welcome here (along with a certain burger chain and all those tax dodging companies!)
      Aren't the tiles a joy to behold? I hope you enjoy my next post! xxx

      Delete
  19. Totally in love with your orange poloneck, not only because it's a fab color, but also because it matches so delightfully your hat and quilted skirt. And it looks also stunning with your 'vixified' dress!. I love that you added pannels to your sleeves, it's a great idea and you know how much I like massive sleeves (even if they're difficult to accomodate into a coat these days)
    Those tiles are stunning and your story about how they were acquired made me laugh, as it looks like the kind of things I also did when younger (and more athletic!).
    Love your velvet dress and love your birthday present. Actually, I believe that it's good for the soul to self-indulge with a birthday present, and yours is Gorgeous!. Have a fabulous birthday, dear lady!
    besos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Monica! Who knew an orange polo neck would go with so much? That really was £2 well spent!
      We were on the same wavelength this week with our Allnutified and Vixified adjustments to our second hand stuff! xxx

      Delete
  20. dont get me started about x-mas music!
    the orange sweater was made for you and your fabulous wardrobe! love your outfits - esp. the first one....
    the sansiveria is called here "schusterpalme" - cobblers palm, because she can live on a minimum of light and water - cobblers were the most poor craftsman short after tailors back in the days :-D
    happy birthday to you! xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the birthday wishes, Beate.
      Xmas music is the pits especially having to endure it for two months before the actual day!
      How interesting about the schusterpalme - I love these fascinating words we use to describe things! xxx

      Delete
  21. Hope you have a happy birthday!
    I don't do black friday either, it passes me by each year, and I'm not in the least bit bothered.
    I bloody love it when the perfect item turns up in a charity shop, it somehow feels like it's been put there especially for you!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Hazel! It's brilliant when that useful but not exciting piece finally turns up secondhand. It's like the universe has ordered it especially! x

      Delete
  22. Wow - it's your birthday! Happy birthday, Vix, hope you have a fab day.

    I loved what you did with the sleeves in the Curtise sent dress. How very clever and i would never have known. All the other dresses were fab, too, loved the daisies on the green one. The new polo is lovely; brilliant colour.

    The encaustic tiles are simply beautiful. Something to feast your eyes on while you brush your teeth; such a lovely assortment. Your new necklace is amazing - is it heavy?

    Hope the rest of the week goes well!
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Vronni!
      I've been known to plan holidays around tiles, I love them.
      Lamani jewellery is quite weighty, the neck rings isn't as heavy as some of the other pieces in my collection. x

      Delete
  23. That orange poloneck sweater looks so cozy and it's great how you styled it with that matching fedora hat. The maxi you wore is beautiful as well and the necklace you gifted to yourself is stunning. Great to learn about the green day, something worth celebrating.
    The ceramic tiles are wonderful. Jon's done a great job with placing them. I bet it is wonderful to see something you have been collecting for years put to good use.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ivana! Jon's working very hard in the bathroom,. I might even have a working shower by Xmas! xxx

      Delete
  24. Curtise! I used to read her blog and miss it very much. Loving your velvet maxi and those tiles!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know - I wish she'd blog again. You can find her on Instagram @curtisemm

      Delete
  25. Happy Birthday, dear Vix.
    You brought some welcome colour into a grey day here in WA!
    I know you will have a lovely celebration.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jan! It's been a dreary couple of days here, so grey and gloomy. xxx

      Delete
  26. Happy Birthday Vix, I know you will celebrate in style . Perfectly fine to buy yourself a special birthday present and this neck piece is just magnificent.
    The tiles look wonderful, weren't you clever to save them . Look forward to seeing the completed bathroom.
    Couldn't agree with you more about Black Friday, another unwelcome import and so unnecessary.
    Well done on your rescue house plants. As usual you look fabulous in every outfit, love the daisy velvet. Enjoy those celebrations. xx

    ReplyDelete
  27. Happy Birthday VIX. You chose a fab present for yourself. Hope you have/ had a great day.
    I love the orange, the hat trim is a perfect contrast.
    I absolutely love your velvet daisy dress. If we were the same size I'd be seriously coveting it!
    Black Friday/Cyber Monday both pass me by, I had a very analogue Monday! Seriously, I hate the way advertising causes so many people to spend money, it feels so wrong. For the same reason I hate fashion trends; part of the reason I love this little community of fierce women who do what they want and sod trends! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Sally! I spotted that green dress on eBay last year and pressed Buy-it-Now so quickly I nearly snapped the keyboard in half!
      I'm totally with you on the Black Friday and all those Xmas adverts designed to make people feel inadequate if they don't bankrupt themselves on food buying. Awful!
      xxx

      Delete
  28. You look stunning in these hats! <3 <3

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hope you had a smashing birthday Vix. I used to own a bright canary yellow polo neck. I'd completely forgotten about it but your orange one took me back down memory lane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cherie! Liking the sound of that canary yellow polo neck, groovy baby. xxx

      Delete
  30. Love the Style and Bling of those Tribeswomen!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wishing you a Very Happy belated Birthday Vix- You Always look So Wonderful! x

    ReplyDelete
  32. Ooo, love the turtleneck, it's the perfect colour!
    The tiles are coming along splendidly - can't wait to see what you do with the rest of the room. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jess! I was inexplicably happy to spot the jumper, I knew it would be so useful! xxx

      Delete
  33. Charity shop serendipity is the best! I wore an outfit on Saturday that I charity shoppped a week ago and it matched a 1930's hat I have in my collection perfectly!
    Love your orange and the tiles are utterly dreeeeeeeamy!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Sometimes things find you, that orange rollneck was meant to be! I was looking for a mustard one for ages and had no luck until I walked into my local charity shop and there was one on the £1 rail. Love the tiled splashback, and can't wait to see the rest of your bathroom!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay! I love it when what you most want is there waiting for you!

      Delete
  35. As Sheila mentioned, Black Friday has spread to Canada, and I avoid venturing out that day if at all possible. That poloneck is the perfect colour with that hat. I never have much luck finding good condition basics at the thrifts over here; they tend to be stretched out and pilly! The tiles are beautiful - looking forward to seeing the finished bathroom.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good quality basics are so hard to find in charity shops. Boring stuff like like sleeved black tops are like the Holy Grail. x

      Delete

Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix